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Solar Panels Cost 2024
Solar Panels Cost – We’ve all heard about how solar panels can reduce your electric bills. But what exactly are they really worth? Learn more in our guide. All you have to know about the price of solar panels is.
Solar panels can help cut your electricity bills, particularly when you’re eligible for tax-free benefits and live in a region in which they’re relatively inexpensive.
If you’re in a position to pay a higher energy bill, you can save tens of hundreds of dollars in the lifetime of solar panels.
However, before investing in solar panels, it is a good idea to understand what they’ll cost you–for the installation, monthly charges, and much more.
Per the Center for Sustainable Energy, the price of solar panels is currently $3 to $5 per Watt. A typical 5-kW residential system will cost between $15,000 and $25,000 before incentives and tax credits.
Check out our extensive guide on the price of solar panels If you’re interested in learning about the factors used in calculating costs before contacting the solar firms in your area.
How Much Solar Panels Cost
There’s a broad range in the cost of solar panels as well as the initial cost of a 6-kilowatt solar system and cents per Kilowatt-hour across the nation.
Costs for installation and prices differ significantly from state to state because of the typical electricity bills in the area.
Hawaii is the most expensive, and Louisiana offers the most affordable prices. The national average of 10.53 cents per kilowatt hour. Check out the cost breakdowns for solar panels for each state.
Solar Panels Cost By State 2024
There’s a broad range in the cost of solar panels, the initial price for a six-kilowatt solar power system, and the cost of cents per kilowatt hour across the nation.
Costs for installation and prices differ significantly between states due to the average electric bill for the region.
Hawaii has the highest cost Hawaii has the highest costs, while Louisiana is the state with the lowest prices.
The average cost for solar panels across the nation for solar panel installation is 10.53 cents per kilowatt hour. Check out the cost breakdowns for solar panels in every state.
| State | Cents Per Kilowatt-hour* | Solar Panel Starting Cost for 6-kW System** | 2024 Tax Incentives at 22%** |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 9.63 | $13,706 | $3,015 |
| Alaska | 19.36 | $13,454 | $2,960 |
| Arizona | 10.85 | $13,680 | $3,010 |
| Arkansas | 7.78 | $14,713 | $3,237 |
| California | 16.58 | $15,240 | $3,353 |
| Colorado | 10.02 | $17,100 | $3,762 |
| Connecticut | 18.41 | $15,540 | $3,419 |
| Delaware | 10.55 | $15,300 | $3,366 |
| Florida | 10.31 | $13,920 | $3,062 |
| Georgia | 9.62 | $15,840 | $3,485 |
| Hawaii | 29.18 | $19,560 | $4,303 |
| Idaho | 8.17 | $17,100 | $3,762 |
| Illinois | 9.6 | $16,470 | $3,683 |
| Indiana | 9.75 | $15,300 | $3,366 |
| Iowa | 8.92 | $14,160 | $3,115 |
| Kansas | 10.72 | $13,353 | $2,882 |
| Kentucky | 8.52 | $13,101 | $2,882 |
| Louisiana | 7.71 | $15,660 | $3,445 |
| Maine | 13.44 | $16,073 | $3,536 |
| Maryland | 11.57 | $15,540 | $3,419 |
| Massachusetts | 18.5 | $16,440 | $3,617 |
| Michigan | 11.4 | $16,020 | $3,524 |
| Minnesota | 10.37 | $17,280 | $3,802 |
| Mississippi | 9.24 | $14,763 | $3,248 |
| Missouri | 9.93 | $14,461 | $3,181 |
| Montana | 8.84 | $16,560 | $3,643 |
| Nebraska | 9.02 | $15,820 | $3,480 |
| Nevada | 8.67 | $14,760 | $3,247 |
| New Hampshire | 17.01 | $17,460 | $3,841 |
| New Jersey | 13.21 | $14,520 | $3,194 |
| New Mexico | 9.35 | $16,680 | $3,670 |
| New York | 14.83 | $15,900 | $3,498 |
| North Carolina | 9.25 | $14,040 | $3,089 |
| North Dakota | 8.91 | $13,555 | $2,982 |
| Ohio | 9.94 | $14,400 | $3,168 |
| Oklahoma | 8.09 | $14,667 | $3,227 |
| Oregon | 8.85 | $15,060 | $3,313 |
| Pennsylvania | 10.1 | $15,420 | $3,392 |
| Rhode Island | 18.1 | $16,200 | $3,564 |
| South Carolina | 9.66 | $16,500 | $3,630 |
| South Dakota | 9.97 | $13,353 | $2,978 |
| Tennessee | 9.58 | $13,909 | $3,060 |
| Texas | 8.48 | $14,820 | $3,260 |
| Utah | 8.21 | $15,420 | $3,392 |
| Vermont | 15.13 | $16,620 | $3,656 |
| Virginia | 9.48 | $15,780 | $3,472 |
| Washington | 8 | $14,040 | $3,089 |
| West Virginia | 8.72 | $14,673 | $3,248 |
| Wisconsin | 10.58 | $17,580 | $3,868 |
| Wyoming | 8.09 | $14,360 | $3,159 |
How Solar Panel Installation Works
Solar installation is a straightforward procedure. The solar company will handle almost every aspect of the installation for you.
First, the solar company consults with you to discuss your energy requirements and your home’s layout.
Then, it develops a solar power system based on your specifications for your home. It also takes care of all the permits needed from the municipality you live in.
In the end, the company plans an installation date with you and then conducts final inspections. The whole process can take between 60 and 90 days.
How much does it cost to install solar panels?
The typical cost for installing solar panels across the United States is about $12,000 after tax incentives from the federal government. On the lower side, you can put in an insignificant system for $5,000, whereas a more expensive level 1 solar panel installation could be as high as $40,000.
Other costs are associated with the installation process that is beyond the cost of the panels. In reality, less than one-quarter of the installation cost is for the panels. Costs for labour, operating expenses and other equipment, like inverters and control circuits, account for most of the costs.
Solar energy businesses install solar panels, offer maintenance, and provide warranties for the panels and work. The additional services offered aren’t completely cost-free, but they’re usually worth the cost. There are a few other factors that impact the cost that solar panel installations cost.
Federal and state incentives
From 2024 onward 2024, you can claim the tax credits for solar systems that will be available for up to 26% installation costs. In 2024, it will drop to just 22%, and you’ll likely not be eligible to claim this tax benefit until 2024 if Congress increases the tax credit a second time. But commercial solar tax credits for panels should remain for 10 years. %.
Apart from federal tax credits, various state incentives can ease the financial burden on homeowners looking to go solar. There are also opportunities to participate in municipal programs or rebates, which reduce the cost more.
Choice of panels
All solar panels are not created to be the same. Of the three kinds of solar panels, Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline are the most popular for powering homes. Panels that are made of monocrystalline are typically more efficient.
However, they are also more expensive in comparison to the polycrystalline panel. If you’re in a tight space on your roof, you may require better-performing (and higher-priced) panels. For more details, learn how to locate the most efficient solar panel.
Where you live
Your location can also impact the price of solar. To determine how many solar (PV) panels you require to power your system, multiply your hourly average energy usage by the maximum sunlight hours for your location and then divide it by the panel’s power consumption. It is suggested to establish an array of high-wattage and low-wattage examples.
Most American houses require approximately 30 panels to meet their energy requirements. The cost of solar panels will also depend on the size of the system. Most roof solar panels are around 5 1/2 feet tall and 3 feet wide; therefore, you must consider the dimensions of your roofing.
Electricity needs
Solar panels cost $2.51, between $2.51 and $3.31 for a watt. Based on the Solar Action Alliance, installers purchasing wholesale solar panels cost more than 85 cents per watt. Solar panels are assessed by Kilowatt (kW).
One Kilowatt equals 1,000 watts. Tax credits aside, a 2kW system will cost you $4,381. You can expect to spend about $11,000 for a 5 kW system, while a 10 kW system is priced at about $22,000.
Purchasing options
Like buying a brand new vehicle, you can buy solar panels in total; however, most people don’t. Solar panels come with a high initial cost. However, homeowners and business owners can utilize solar leases, loans and power purchase agreements (PPA).
Learn more about our solar financing guide for more details about the various businesses that can help finance the purchase of solar panels and help make the cost of solar panels less challenging.
How much do solar panels save?
The switch to a solar-powered system can reduce your energy bills by 75 per cent. The savings that you and your family enjoy depend on the location you reside in, what the weather is like, and what your specific energy needs are.
For example, a typical homeowner in Portland, Oregon, will get a total savings of $38,000. In contrast, a homeowner in Los Angeles could save up to $90,000 in 20 years.
Different solar calculators can calculate electricity costs in various ways. Numerous solar energy companies offer a free calculator tool to aid you in estimating the costs and savings associated with installing solar panels at your property.
The numbers can be based on an average of the country, regional ones, or other data you supply.
The typical American electric bill ranges from $100 to $200 monthly. The annual energy bill is approximately $1,500. Based on the amount you have to pay out of pocket for your solar panel, It could take anywhere from five to 15 years before you break even.
To determine the amount of time it will take you to make a profit on savings against the price of your solar panels, first subtract the incentive and rebates out of the cost. Divide that amount by the amount you’re saving on your utility bills each year.
With Federal tax incentives available for installing solar panels, most Americans have solar panels that begin earning their money within seven years.
Because of an extension granted by Congress in the year 2024, the tax incentive for solar investments stands at 26% for installations until 2024. However, it is set to drop by 22% on systems installed in 2024. It will then expire in 2024.
Even if your solar panels produce most of your electricity requirements, you might be charged utility bills. Instead of requesting payment instead, you’ll receive net metering credits per month.
How Do I Pay for Solar Panels?
If your state doesn’t provide solar rebates, you may still be qualified to receive the state’s Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs). Certain states permit you to trade and earn credits in exchange for the energy generated by your solar system through a net metering system.
A majority of states provide a solar investment tax credit or similar incentives to offset the price you pay for your solar and increase savings on energy bills.
Additionally, the federal government provides incentives for solar energy. In 2005, the solar tax credit for the federal government was available to all states, even states that do not have SRECs and state rebates.
The tax credit of 26% applies to solar energy systems installed before December. 31st 2024. The tax credit for residential solar systems will drop to 22% by 2024 and expire next year.
Though payment options are varied and vary, all solar companies provide at minimum two of these options: buying the solar panels for your home outright or signing a solar lease, Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) or making the solar loan.
Be aware that signing the solar lease or PPA won’t allow you to get credits for solar energy from the Federal government or incentives from the state since they are available only to those who own the solar panels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do solar panels work at night?
Yes, solar panels do not produce electricity in the darkness. But, solar panels can remain in operation because of net metering. The excess electricity is switched to the power grid of the public utility grid to help offset the cost.
How many solar panels are needed to power a house?
How many solar panels you need is extremely variable and varies based in part on how much sunlight that your home gets and the type of appliances that you have (electric or. gas) as well as what size your roof is and much more. Owners of homes should consult with an expert to ensure that they are getting the correct amount of coverage for their home.
Can solar panels really save you money?
Solar panels can reduce your monthly energy bill due to their efficiency, and federal tax incentives increase the value of your home, which will give you a significant ROI after having the panels installed.